Krishna Janmashtami (कृष्ण जन्माष्टमी) is a festival falling in the Hindu lunar month of भाद्रपद. Its position is fixed by tithi rather than by the Gregorian calendar, so the date moves every year and is computed from the panchang. Tradition keeps a fast on the day. The observance itself, and its puja vidhi, stay the same each year.
Krishna Janmashtami
कृष्ण जन्माष्टमी
Hindu month: भाद्रपद
Panchang Basis (Tithi Rule)
Each year this observance falls on the Ashtami tithi of the Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada. Because lunar tithis drift against the Gregorian calendar, the English date shifts every year — the tithi rule above is what stays fixed.
Months here are named the Purnimanta way, as in North Indian panchangs, where a month ends on Purnima. Amanta calendars (Maharashtra, Gujarat and most of South India) end a month on Amavasya, so they call this same fortnight Shravana Krishna Paksha; the date is the same.
About This Festival
Birth anniversary of Lord Krishna — celebrated at midnight
भगवान श्रीकृष्ण का जन्मोत्सव — मध्यरात्रि में मनाया जाता है
Significance
Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu, was born at midnight in a prison cell in Mathura. He is the speaker of the Bhagavad Gita and the supreme teacher of dharma, love, and devotion.
Puja Vidhi (How to Observe)
Fast all day (nirjala or phalahar). Decorate Krishna idol with new clothes and jewelry. At midnight (birth time), perform abhishek with panchamrit. Swing the baby Krishna in a jhula. Break fast with prasad after midnight puja.
Regional Names
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Krishna Janmashtami celebrated?
Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated on Friday, 4 September 2026 and on Wednesday, 25 August 2027. The date changes each year because it follows the Hindu lunar calendar (Panchang) — every date here is computed from real planetary positions using the Swiss Ephemeris engine, not copied from a fixed list.
Is Krishna Janmashtami a fasting (vrat) day?
Yes — Krishna Janmashtami is observed as a vrat (fasting day). Devotees keep a fast and complete the puja before breaking it, following the puja vidhi for the day.
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